Tag: Violence

The author of the following letter, Nisa Dang, is an activist, and a political organizer around gun control, abolition, and voter disenfranchisement. She is also from South Sacramento. Here is her message, and her promise, to the Clark family. READ MORE

Hello dear Shameless readers!
I was so inspired by Letters Lived: Radical Reflections, Revolutionary Paths edited by our very own Shameless editor, Sheila Sampath, that I came back after taking a blogging break and wrote my own letter.
Letters Lived is an inspiring short read from writers and activists writing to their younger selves, as adults. Ever want to reassure, guide or share your 20/20 hindsight with yourself after the fact? Letters Lived offers that very promise. … READ MORE

The Canadian literature community has been rocked by an open letter, signed by many prominent writers, claiming the University of British Columbia has failed to give “due process” to a writing professor dismissed for breach of trust in relation to allegations of abuse by students. Critics of the letter say it is biased and erases the experience of the students. READ MORE

I feel angry. I feel upset. I feel anxious (actually, I haven’t said that last one to Adli yet!) These are statements I make to Adli when I want to express my emotions. I want him - currently as a cisgender boy - to learn to express his feelings, however artificial it may seem at first.
I also have been trying to talk about oppression. How do I educate and support the learning of my kid … READ MORE

The Caribbean Tales Film Festival (CTFF) is presenting its 11th collection of films this year in Toronto from September 7-17th at the Royal Cinema (608 College Street). The films featured focus on those that represent Caribbean content and creativity from the region and the diaspora.
This year, there are 5 films that take on queer realities, identities and experiences. They are: My Silky Blue Frog Shortz by Lezlie Lee Kam (Trinidad/Canada); Cold by Salvador Sol Valdez … READ MORE

Content Warning: References to Orlando Pulse Nightclub massacre.
I think I know why U.S. and Canadian media outlets need to call the Orlando Pulse Nightclub massacre, the “the deadliest shooting in U.S. history, with 50 (sic) people killed, 53 others injured and the gunman dead in a shootout”.
Because America loves violence.
To read more about what went down.
Hear me out: They actually love it. I recently read a post that said that guns are part of American … READ MORE

At 10:30 on Monday morning I was notified that the door to our classroom was locked, and that I could “feel free to prepare [my] belongings for an evacuation.” We were told that a suspicious person wearing a mask and carrying a gun was spotted near our building. The campus was partially closed, and an emergency was declared. The building across the street was officially “closed,” with students, faculty and staff locked inside.
The University of … READ MORE

At the Top of the ‘Class’: Growing Up and Class Background
Adli is growing up with some of the best things in life: a loving parent and being raised in a violence-free home.
Adli has an educated parent who makes a steady salary and has access to fresh vegetables and organic milk.
Adli lives in a big city, with access to diverse people, cultures, resources and spaces.
Adli was breastfed.
What do these things have to do with class or … READ MORE

Content warning: this post discusses sexual violence. This platform intends to create safe spaces, so we want people to engage with the subject matter without unintentionally exposing you to anything that could be triggering or painful.
Rage, anger and indignation have flooded social media in Brazil in the aftermath of one crime that shocked us to the core. 33 men raped a 16-year old in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and shared their crime on social media. … READ MORE

Trigger Warning: Discussions of Rape Culture
The Law: Not Here for Survivors
When survivors go to report a sexual assault to the police, statistically speaking: the police do nothing.
It may be their job – at the very least – to listen to survivors by taking their statements but after that, on the most part, nothing more is done to validate the experience of the survivor.
And why would anything be done? The system has proven time and time … READ MORE

Please note, this post has been updated since first published as the original version uploaded did not properly display the entire post.
So I have a partner, going on 9 years, and I still feel awkward and scared to masturbate in front of her. I know, TMI. But that is exactly my point.
In this dominant western culture, we have a problem with openly talking about sexuality, being openly sexual, and women’s racialized and queer sexualities themselves.
We … READ MORE

Trigger Warning: Assault and Violence
On March 24th, 2016 Jian Ghomeshi was found not guilty on 3 counts of sexual assault and one count of choking, overcoming resistance by Judge William Horkins.
Below is the collectively written speech one of our most esteemed counselors read at the evening action that brought together the issues of survivorship and sexual violence and anti-Black racism. Organizers from Black Lives Matter, Ryerson Centre for Women and Trans People, Ryerson Office for … READ MORE

It’s a social experiment but we are making the blog series “Queer Brown Girl Trying to be a Parent” into a column! So get ready for a monthly blog about all things Queer, Brown and Parenting! READ MORE

CONTENT WARNNG: This blog includes personal information about family violence , domestic violence and child abuse. READ MORE